Giants await netball’s minor semi result

With West Coast Fever locked in as hosts for the 2018 Super Netball grand final, Giants must wait for the minor semi-final to find out what the road to Perth looks like.

Either Sunshine Coast Lightning or Queensland Firebirds will travel to Sydney Olympic Park next Sunday, with a place in the grand final on the line.

While Giants lost out on the chance to host the decider after a 57-63 home loss at Quaycentre on Saturday, they’ll be able to take the court in front of about three times as many fans at Qudos Bank Arena next weekend.

Giants veteran Susan Pettitt says playing in front of a home crowd is always a positive but to do so in the preliminary rather than the grand final is disappointing in her last season of professional netball.

“I’m pretty annoyed actually,” Pettit said after the loss.

“We’ve got to have a look at the video, (work out) what we did badly, watch the game tomorrow and see who we’re playing – it could be anyone’s game.”

If the Giants are successful against whichever Queensland side they face next weekend, a grand final meeting with Fever would be the third game between the two sides in four weeks.

“We don’t mind playing them again, we are just disappointed it won’t be at home,” Pettitt said.

Spirits were much higher for those in green and black after Saturday’s semi-final, with the Fever’s star shooter Jhaniele Fowler brushing off a knee injury sustained in the first quarter.

“A home grand final is superb, it means a lot,” Fowler said.

“Being at home with the fans and family all behind us – it’s going to be awesome.”

Fowler declared she wasn’t concerned over a potential injury despite playing out the game with heavy strapping on her knee.

“I’m just going to go back home and recover and do all I need to do to be ready for a home grand final.”